• Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) international reserves stood at US$102.8 billion as at May 15, 2019 from US$103.4 billion at April 30, 2019 • Tekun Nasional has channelled business financing worth RM140 million since the beginning of this year until April 30, 2019 • Malaysia's labour productivity grows 2.4 per cent in Q1 2019 • Malaysia's CPI rose 0.2 per cent in April 2019 to 121.1 compared to 120.9 in the same month of the preceding year: Department of Statistics Malaysia

Some 140 students took part in a recent Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) motivational talk organised by Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas Sdn Bhd (PTP) and Lembaga Pelabuhan Johor (LPJ), the 11th joint annual event that first began in 2007.

The one-day session for the selected students from four secondary schools in Gelang Patah and children of LPJ staff was held at the LPJ headquarters in Pasir Gudang on July 28.

The programme aims to build the mental and psychological strength of the students by equipping them with learning techniques and learning tips for the upcoming SPM examination.

LPJ GM Muhammad Razif Ahmad said the authority undertook various activities to engage and serve the underprivileged in various locations across Johor, especially in Gelang Patah and Pasir Gudang.

“We are fulfilling our corporate social responsibility (CSR) by reaching out to those in need as we strongly believe education has the ability to transform lives,” he said in a statement released by PTP.

“Johor is on the verge of a major transformation, especially with the many development projects and investments. As such, the PTP-LPJ CSR agenda is not just about empowering education programmes, but also generating outstanding human capital in the future to ensure Johor residents enjoy socio-economic progress,” he said.

PTP CEO Marco Neelsen said the programme was organised as part of an ongoing PTP stakeholders’ engagement initiative to strengthen the relationship between the group and its relevant business partners — especially with the government authorities, as well as the community.

“As an enabler to development, companies should align their roles with government policies and strategies, in order to impact common goals significantly.

“As such, through our collaboration with LPJ, we hope to alleviate not only the level of education among the local students, but also the economic and social standing of the community,” he said in the same statement.

One of the teachers, Rosilah Ahmad from SMK Tanjung Adang, lauded the continuous commitment of both parties in assisting the local students to improve their overall academic and non-academic achievements.

She said the exemplary act is the kind of initiative that should be followed by more corporate companies, as the programme bolsters the motivation and self-confidence of students as they prepare for the big exam.

Maisarah Zulkifli, a participant from SMK Sultan Abu Bakar, said: “At this juncture, SPM candidates including myself should have already grasped basic understanding on all the chapters in the syllabus before the real exam commences.

“As such, by participating in this programme, I was hoping to acquire valuable tips and build my confidence by focusing on other aspects that required improvement.

“I am very glad I had joined this programme. I picked up new tips and also made new friends with students from other schools.”

The PTP-LPJ talk series has benefitted more than 2,000 local secondary school students in Gelang Patah.

Apart from the motivational talk, PTP also organises other education-related initiatives like UPSR (Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah) motivational camps, educational trips to local universities and distribution of schooling aid.

PTP, Malaysia’s largest container terminal, is a joint venture between utilities and infrastructure group MMC Corp Bhd (70%) and APM Terminals (30%), a global ports group with a global port network in 62 countries. — TMR